Global Anti-Corruption Efforts in Bulgaria Fall Short, OECD Report Finds

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Bribery has released a report highlighting the shortcomings of Bulgaria’s efforts to combat foreign bribery. The report identifies several areas that require significant improvement to effectively address corruption.

Weak Detection and Enforcement

• Detection and enforcement of foreign bribery cases in Bulgaria are particularly weak.
• There is a lack of awareness among public and private sector stakeholders about the risks of foreign bribery.
• The country’s legal framework fails to adequately hold legal persons accountable for foreign bribery offenses.

Recommendations for Improvement

• Raise awareness of foreign bribery risks among all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that all foreign bribery allegations are properly assessed and prosecuted.
• Enact legislation to provide clear protections from retaliation for whistleblowers who report suspected acts of foreign bribery.

Positive Developments

• Adoption of new or amended legislation.
• Efforts in training and awareness-raising for law enforcement officials.
• Improvements in interagency coordination and cooperation with the financial sector.

Follow-up and Progress Report

• The OECD Working Group on Bribery will follow up on these issues to ensure that they are implemented in practice.
• Bulgaria has committed to providing an oral update within one year on its progress in addressing the recommendations made in the report, and a written report within two years.